Naj Austin

"People of color want to be in spaces and rooms that give them access, but there’s a specific kind of burden people of color walk around with when navigating white spaces."

"If you can find investors who believe in you, and who understand the product and the why behind it, they can be invaluable in terms of directing the company and helping you decide what comes next."

"I spent the first five years of my career in the real estate and tech world. I worked at a furnished rental housing startup, creating beautiful spaces that people could bounce between."

"I was Head of Operations, and I led everything from finding the landlords, to negotiating leases, to bringing the apartments to life The company was great but unfortunately we were unable to raise enough capital to continue growing the business. After that I worked with a founder with a finance background, who wanted me to come on and lead product for a company that was going to democratise real estate."

"It’s funny, I was just in a meeting and we were trying to unpack this question. I think Ethel’s Club has resonated with so many people, because we are building something for a group that is so often left out of the conversation. And we are doing it with intentionality and style."

"We’re focusing on a marginalized group of people who rarely have the spotlight and often do not have anything created for them. We are forcibly changing that narrative, and it has excited people for that very reason. First a social club designed with me in mind -- what’s next? Our brand has the potential to cover every vertical and every industry - the vision is to be much larger than our clubhouses."